Turkish Airlines injects $2bn to create 36,000 jobs

• Eight new facilities under construction
• Building greater cargo capacity
• Catering department is expanding

Turkish Airlines has begun construction on eight facilities at a cost of TL100 billion ($2.3 billion), which could create up to 36,000 jobs.

The projects, primarily at the airline’s home base in Istanbul Airport, will expand its cargo, technical maintenance and catering operations.

“We are developing not only our fleet but also the robust infrastructure that will allow us to fully utilise this fleet,” chairman Ahmet Bolat said.

Around 26,000 new jobs will be created in 2026, rising to 36,000 when all phases are completed, he said. 

Turkish Airlines’ contribution to the country’s economy is projected to rise from $65 billion now to $144 billion by 2033, Bolat said.

The cash injection will go towards the SmartIST cargo terminal increasing its annual capacity to 4.5 million tonnes from the existing 2.2 million tonnes. The main catering facility will also be expanded to serve more than 500,000 passengers per day. These projects are expected to become operational between 2027 and 2028. 

The airline’s engine maintenance centre, which is Europe’s largest wide-body aircraft engine maintenance hub, will be able to service Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97 and Trent 7000 Rolls-Royce engines. This will be ready next year.

Further reading:

• Turkish Airlines profit falls despite rising revenue
• Turkish Airlines looks for acquisitions and fleet deals
• Turkish Airlines signs engine deal with GE Aerospace

In November the country’s flag carrier said revenue increased 5 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2025 to almost $7 billion, supported by strong passenger demand. However, net profit for the quarter fell 11 percent from the equivalent 2024 figure to $1.4 billion.

In August the airline acquired a minority stake in Air Europa for €300 million ($349 million). A month later its chairman ruled out acquiring a majority stake in Spanish airline Air Europa.

The airline’s shares, which trade on Borsa Istanbul, rose 1.3 percent to close at TL294.50 on Thursday.